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Ask the Experts: The gardener

These are potatoes that can be planted in late July and August for harvesting from October to Christmas. Choose varieties such as ‘Franceline’, ‘Monet’ and ‘Carlingford’, all of which are available from Marshalls kitchen garden mail order (01945 466 711). The easiest way to grow them is to plant the tubers in 15in containers (with drainage holes). Half-fill each pot and bury the tubers 4in deep and 4in apart. Water well and place in a sheltered, sunny spot.

When the stems emerge above the rims, fill the pots with more earth and keep moist. In early autumn, move to a well-lit, frost-free position and lift the tubers as desired.

Some of my roses are producing new flowers through the existing blooms. What is wrong?

G Harding, York

This problem, called proliferation, usually affects older rose varieties. The